During a star-studded fundraiser at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, US President Joe Biden underscored the necessity for a post-Gaza plan and advocated for a two-state solution with Israel in the future. The discussion, held alongside fellow presidents, aimed to exhibit Democratic party unity ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted President Biden’s speech at least four times, highlighting internal divisions within the party regarding Biden’s approach to Israel’s conflict with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The US President, as quoted by Bloomberg, stated, “I’ve been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. They’re prepared to fully recognize Israel in a future deal.”
“There has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a trade to a two-state solution. It doesn’t have to occur today. It has to be a progression and I think we can do that,” he asserted following an interruption.
At the same event, Democratic predecessors Bill Clinton and Barack Obama defended Biden’s Middle East policies against criticism. Obama, addressing another protester, voiced his support for Biden, stating, “Biden has demonstrated moral conviction and clarity in his leadership. He acknowledges the complexities of the world.”
“President Biden is open to hearing all perspectives in this dialogue. He actively seeks common ground. That’s the type of leadership we need. It’s essential to both speak and listen in these discussions,” Obama added.
Progressive groups, along with Muslim and Arab American communities, are lobbying President Biden to intensify efforts to restrict Israel’s military activities in Gaza, aimed at ousting Hamas. Concurrently, President Biden is exerting diplomatic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advocating for the cessation of plans for a ground invasion into Rafah. This city in the southern part of Gaza has become a refuge for more than a million Palestinians amidst the conflict.
Efforts are underway by the two countries to rearrange a high-level visit by an Israeli delegation intended to explore alternatives to initiating a military strike on Rafah. These plans come in the wake of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to cancel a previously scheduled visit earlier this week, following the United States’ refusal to block a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate halt to hostilities in Gaza.
